Soil Flashcards
What us soil profile
(Most soils occur in several horizontal layers which become clearly visible when a vertical section of the soil is exposed. This vertical section is called a soil profile. Such profiles are commonly seen along roads and railway lines
Explain the layers of soil
Al lie wa or the lowest level of the profile is the bedrock (layer A in the picture), which is unweathered.
It is also called the parent rock.
Over it is a layer of partly weathered rocks (layer
B). Above it is a third layer called the subsoil (layer C), which is made up of finer rocks and silt and clay. The topmost layer is the topsoil (layer D), which consists of clay, silt, sand, and humus.
What is soil erosion
SOIL EROSION
Soil erosion refers to the washing away or removal of the layers of soil by various agents like running water and wind,
What is contour tilling
(In this method the farmer tills or ploughs the weachedelds along the contours of the land rather than tilling up and down the slope.Contour tilling is practised in hilly areas rather thap the plains. it prevchts the son from being washed away bed vock by water or by surface run-off as the contour acts like a bund. The contour also facilitates the percolation of water into the soil.
What is terrace farming
Terrace Farming
(Terrace farming involves making terraces or steps on a hill or mountain by cutting into the side of the hill or mountain. Since the land is made flat, it reduces surface run-off, thereby preventing erosion. It also facilitates the absorption of water into the soil. Terrace cultivation is common on mountain slopes all over the world.
What is strip cropping
Also known as multiple cropping, strip cropping involves planting crops on narrow strips of land which alternate with strips that contain soil-protecting plants such as bushes or trees. Another method of strip cropping is to plant different crops in different strips. This provides the farmer with more than one crop.
What is contour bunding
Contour Bunding
In this method, soil is conserved by making bunds or walls or embankments made of mud along contour lines to prevent water from draining out of the cultivated field, thereby preventing erosion.
What is afforestation
Afforestation
Afforestation is the planting of new trees in areas which are more prone to soil erosion, mainly on the banks of rivers, steep slopes and wastelands. It has, in fact, proved to be the most effective means of soil conservation. Trees hold back the soil with the help of their roots.
As the trees grow taller and older, their roots become longer and dig deeper into the ground.
The network of roots inside the soil holds it in place, particularly during the rainy season.MATH..
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This also aids the water-retention capacity of the soil. Moreover, trees act as a vegetative cover for the soil, thus preventing the topsoil from being blown away by the wind. It is also an effective means to increase the forest cover.
The use of eco-friendly fertilizers and planting of indigenous trees and shrubs are significantly helpful in soil conservation.
What is crop rotation
Crop Rotation
Crop rotation is another effective way of soil conservation. It adds nutrients to the soil and also helps in pest control. When the same type of crop is grown on a particular land year after year, the fertility of the soil decreases. Hence, to prevent the decline in soil fertility, different crops are planted in a sequential and systematic manner.
Different crops have different requirements of soil nutrients and also differ in their abilities to extract specific nutrients from the soil. Therefore, generally a nutrient-depleting crop is grown in one season or year and a nutrient-supplying crop (often a legume) in another. For example, in India, groundnut and cereals, such as maize and wheat, are cultivated in rotation.
What is fallowing
Fallowing
/In this method, the land is permitted to rest in order to rejuvenate itself over a period of time. It is, in fact, the nature’s way of getting back the natural nutrients lost over a period of continuous cultivation. Fallowing permits the moisture content of the soil to increase. Over time, plants, bushes and grass begin to grow, thereby protecting the soil from water and wind erosion A general improvement in the structure and texture of the soil also takes place. Soil organisms, like earthworms and other insects find their way into the undisturbed soil, and organic wastes increase its general fertility.
What js controlled grazing
Controlled Grazing
A simple method of soil conservation is to restrict the grazing of cattle, sheep and goats on grasslands and within forests. When cattle graze on fields, grass and smaller plants get torn from their roots, leaving the soil loose and exposed to wind and water erosion. Moreover, the pressure of the animals’ hooves on the soil makes it lose its cohesion and structure, exposing it to the forces of wind and water. Land meant for grazing of cattle should be specially selected and fenced off.
The role played by soil in world health, growth and development of the country and
What is humus
Humus is the decomposed organic matter obtained from dead animal and plant remains that make the soil fertile.
Causes of sool erosion state them
Cutting down of trees and forests, overgrazing by animals, floods, and improper farming practices are some of the main causes of soil erosion.
